Abstract
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication that may occur after native joint replacement leading to a severe health and economic burden. Currently, due to several confounding factors, PJI is difficult to diagnose. Today, a multidisciplinary approach is indispensable to correctly define a periprosthetic joint infection; indeed, tissue histology, microbiology cultures and clinical findings are used together to achieve this goal. Analysis of α-defensin is commonly used for PJI diagnosis, as it allows the rapid detection of α-defensin present in the synovial fluid following a microbial infection. Currently, a point-of-care testing (POCT) assay able to detect the presence of human α-defensins 1-3 in synovial fluid of patients is aimed directly at orthopedic surgeons. However, many orthopedic surgeons lack experience and training in quality laboratory practices, often failing to appreciate the significance of quality control and proper documentation when using POCT assays. To guarantee the highest quality diagnostic services, the α-defensin test should be used together with other biochemical and microbiological criteria commonly used for PJI diagnosis. Additionally, the close cooperation and communication between laboratory, pathologists and physicians is of fundamental importance in the correct diagnosis of PJI.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19-24 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 27 2017 |
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Keywords
- clinical outcome
- periprosthetic joint infection
- point-of-care testing
- α-defensin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Biochemistry, medical
Cite this
α-Defensin point-of-care test for diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections : Neglected role of laboratory and clinical pathologists. / Drago, Lorenzo; Toscano, Marco; Tacchini, Lorenza; Banfi, Giuseppe.
In: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Vol. 56, No. 1, 27.11.2017, p. 19-24.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - α-Defensin point-of-care test for diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections
T2 - Neglected role of laboratory and clinical pathologists
AU - Drago, Lorenzo
AU - Toscano, Marco
AU - Tacchini, Lorenza
AU - Banfi, Giuseppe
PY - 2017/11/27
Y1 - 2017/11/27
N2 - Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication that may occur after native joint replacement leading to a severe health and economic burden. Currently, due to several confounding factors, PJI is difficult to diagnose. Today, a multidisciplinary approach is indispensable to correctly define a periprosthetic joint infection; indeed, tissue histology, microbiology cultures and clinical findings are used together to achieve this goal. Analysis of α-defensin is commonly used for PJI diagnosis, as it allows the rapid detection of α-defensin present in the synovial fluid following a microbial infection. Currently, a point-of-care testing (POCT) assay able to detect the presence of human α-defensins 1-3 in synovial fluid of patients is aimed directly at orthopedic surgeons. However, many orthopedic surgeons lack experience and training in quality laboratory practices, often failing to appreciate the significance of quality control and proper documentation when using POCT assays. To guarantee the highest quality diagnostic services, the α-defensin test should be used together with other biochemical and microbiological criteria commonly used for PJI diagnosis. Additionally, the close cooperation and communication between laboratory, pathologists and physicians is of fundamental importance in the correct diagnosis of PJI.
AB - Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication that may occur after native joint replacement leading to a severe health and economic burden. Currently, due to several confounding factors, PJI is difficult to diagnose. Today, a multidisciplinary approach is indispensable to correctly define a periprosthetic joint infection; indeed, tissue histology, microbiology cultures and clinical findings are used together to achieve this goal. Analysis of α-defensin is commonly used for PJI diagnosis, as it allows the rapid detection of α-defensin present in the synovial fluid following a microbial infection. Currently, a point-of-care testing (POCT) assay able to detect the presence of human α-defensins 1-3 in synovial fluid of patients is aimed directly at orthopedic surgeons. However, many orthopedic surgeons lack experience and training in quality laboratory practices, often failing to appreciate the significance of quality control and proper documentation when using POCT assays. To guarantee the highest quality diagnostic services, the α-defensin test should be used together with other biochemical and microbiological criteria commonly used for PJI diagnosis. Additionally, the close cooperation and communication between laboratory, pathologists and physicians is of fundamental importance in the correct diagnosis of PJI.
KW - clinical outcome
KW - periprosthetic joint infection
KW - point-of-care testing
KW - α-defensin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85037069583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85037069583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1515/cclm-2017-0041
DO - 10.1515/cclm-2017-0041
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28708567
AN - SCOPUS:85037069583
VL - 56
SP - 19
EP - 24
JO - Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
JF - Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
SN - 1434-6621
IS - 1
ER -